The mothers that shaped Vico Sotto, Joy Belmonte, Rex Gatchalian
I believe many of the world’s achievers had extraordinary mothers who’ve indelibly shaped and inspired them.
Prime examples are our Philippine President Rody Roa Duterte, whose mom, the late Soledad “Nanay Soling” Roa Duterte, was a teacher and activist; and Vice President Leni Gerona Robredo, whose late mother Salvacion “Sally” Santo Tomas Gerona was also a teacher.
The Philippines’ “Juice King” Alfredo “Fred” Yao of Zest-O and RC Cola, who recently triumphed over COVID-19, attributes much of his success to his mother, Soledad Yao, who courageously raised six children singlehandedly as a sidewalk vendor, because when Fred was only age 12, his father Chun Yao died.
When he opened his first business, Fred named the firm “Solemar” in honor of his mom, who also assisted him in the enterprise.
Mothers dedicated to their faith
Among Metro Manila cities, some of the most hardworking leaders now in the Philippines’ fight against the COVID-19 pandemic are Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (unknown to many, she has already distributed over two million food packs to the country’s biggest populated city through barangay leaders and will further promote her “Joy of Urban Farming” project to encourage the growing of food).
They were all raised by devout Christian mothers: actress Coney Reyes (whose real name is Constancia Angeline Reyes Nubla), Dee Hua T. Gatchalian, and the late Betty Go-Belmonte.
Coney is a faithful born-again Christian, an active member and a discipleship group leader of Victory Christian Fellowship.
Dee Hua is a pastor and chairwoman at their own church, Jesus Our Life Ministries in Barangay Maysan, Valenzuela.
The late Billie Mary “Betty” Go-Belmonte was founding chairman of The Philippine STAR, a Christian philanthropist who relied on the Bible as her guide to making important decisions.
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